Washing machine



Feb. 16, 1937. v H. JOHNSTON 2,071,036

WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY I /WDKM Mme/me wm A TTORNE Y Feb. 16, 1937. H. 1.. JOHNSTON I WASHING MACHINE 6 SheetsSheet 3 Filed Aug. 30, 1930 INVENTO/t BY )WJW (I TTOR/VEVS Feb. 16; 19.37.

H. L OHNSTON WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50', 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Lvmwrkue A TTUAXEY) :Feb. 16, 1937.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50, 1930 Feb. 16, 1937. H JOHNSTON 2,071,036

WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug! 50, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTO BY )WX 'vnw' /wl 1 ATTORNEY) Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE Herbert L. Johnston," Troy, Ohio, assignor to The Hobart Manufacturing Company, Troy, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application August 30, 1930, Serial No. 478,978

14 Claims. 141-9) This invention relates to washing machines.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a washing machine of simple construction which is adaptable to various installation conditions, may be readily set up for service, and is capable of sustained use without deterioration of the washer parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a washing machine of this character of a rotatable wash arm mounted within the washing compartment, and supported upon a In the drawings, in which like characters of.

reference designate like-parts throughout the several views thereof-- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a washing machine constructed in accordance with this invention; some of the parts being shown in section for clearnes; of illustration;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the washing machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of thewashing machine in which some of. the parts are broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the valve control;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary showing of the valve control;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the wash water disv tributing valve;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line l-I of Fig. 5; the valve member being Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of wash water distributing valve;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line I 4-H of Fig. 13 showing the valve in neutral position; 5

Fig. 15 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 14 show-.- ing the valve in wash position;

Fig. 16 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 14 showing the valve in rinse position;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on the line 'l--'l of Fig. 5 and the line l'l--l1 of Fig. 13 showing the wash water valve member in Wash position;

Fig. 18 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 17 showing the Wash water valve member in rinse position; and

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the lower wash arm and supporting structure therefor. 1

Cross reference is here made to Patents Nos. 20 2,013,387 and 2,058,083 granted upon divisional applications of the present application.

The washing machine comprises generally a frame within which is mounted a.wash water circulating pump and driving motor therefor, a washing compartment, and an enclosing housing for the washing compartment; the housing being provided with suitable doors for the reception and withdrawal of racks of dishes and like articles.

As shown, the machine is provided with a cast metal base I0 having a bottom portion II and extending flanges 12; the base being substantially rectangular in shape. Suitable supporting members 13, which are preferably of angular cross section, extend upwardly from the corners of the base portion II! for the support of the washing machine structure. The washing compartment comprises an open top tank which is composed of side walls It and a bottom wall l5 suitably joined as by welding to form a 40 liquid tight compartment which may be attached 7 as a unit to the upright members l3 to which it is'secured as by means of bolts. The bottom wall I5 comprises an upper substantially horizontally extending portion 16 which extends part way across the bottom of the tank, then extends downwardly as indicated at IT to substantially the level of the base Ill, then continues on a substantially horizontal plane to join the rear wall of the tank. This arrangement of parts provides a washing compartment, comprising the four vertically extending walls I4 and the bottom wall l5, which in its lower extended portion incorporates a water supply chamber or sump l8 formed by the downwardly extending wall portion l1 and the side walls I4. The area beneath the bottom wall portion l6 and adjacent the Wall portion provides a space which is freely open and exposed at the sides and front of the machine. This space provides a readily accessible location for a wash water circulating pump 20 and its driving motor 2|; the driving motor being suitably supported upon the base portion II as by means of attaching bolts 22.

The rear wall of the tank has attached to it a wall portion M which extends upwardly to the top of the machine and forms part of an enclosing casing for the washing compartment.

The side and front walls |4 terminate in outwardly extending flanges 25 which'are shown positioned at substantially the level of a work table or-shelf to permit'racks of dishes to be readily moved into and' withdrawn from the machine. Angle bars 26, which are positioned at the forward corners of the washing compartment and are suitably joined to the members I3 by connecting bolts, extend upwardly from the level of the flanges 25 and, with the rear wall l4, provide a support for the top 28 of the machine. The angle bars 26, in cooperation with the rear wall |4', form guides for suitable movable doors 30 which in their closed position extend from the flanges 25 to the top of the machine and, with the rear wall 14, provide a water tight enclosing housing for the washing compartment.

The supporting frame comprising the angle members l3 and 26 is provided with brackets 32 for the support of suitable rack guides or tracks 34 which are adapted to carry the racks or trays holding the dishes or articles to be washed within the casing. The rack guides 34 may be shaped to permit the dish carrying racks to be entered at one side of the machine and be withdrawn from the opposite side, or to be entered from one side and withdrawn from either of the adjacent sides; this arrangement of parts providing a machine which is readily adaptable to meet various conditions of installation. The doors are adapted to slide vertically and operate in grooves 36 formed between the angle members 26 and 'guide members 31 which are attached to the inside surface of the angle members.

A mechanism is provided whereby the two doors through which the racks are entered or withdrawn may be operated simultaneously; the arrangement being such that movement of one door automatically effects corresponding movement in the other door. This door operating mechanism includes a counterbalance weight so that the door movement may be accomplished with but little effort. Each of the doors regularly used, which as illustrated in Fig. 3 comprises the oppositely positioned doors, is provided with a connecting chain 38 which is attached at one end to the lower edge of the door by means of an attaching bracket- 39 and is connected at the opposite end to the counterbalancing weight 4|; suitable supporting pulleys 42 being provided for the guidance of the chains 38. The counterbalance 4|, which is preferably a cast member, is provided with oppositely extending forks 44 which are adapted to engage spaced rods 45 to properly guide the travel of the weight 4|. The guide members 45 are supported from the machine by suitable brackets 46 and are shaped to stand substantially parallel throughout the normal range of travel of the counterweighaand to flare outwardly beyond the normal range of travel so that by lifting the weight to a position beyond its normal range of travel it may be readily withdrawn from the guides. This arrangement of guide members facilitates the assembly of the machine and permits the counterweight to be inserted in operating position without disturbing the assembled guide members. The weight of the member 4| is adjustedto substantially balance the combined weights of the two doors to which it is connected so that upon manual actuation of one door the balance of weight will be such as to automatically actuate the other connected .door. The chains 38 pass through the top cover member 28 within suitable guides 48 and, as mentioned, are attached to the lower edges of the doors so that these doors may be raised to substantially the full opening of the housing to completely expose the interior of the housing. The upward movement of the doors is limited by contact of the attaching members '39 with rubber bumpers 50 which are carried upon brackets 5| suitably mounted on the supporting angles 26. Downward movement of the counterweight 4| is limited by springs 53 which are positioned upon the guides 45 and rest upon the lower supporting brackets 46. The arrangement of counterweight and connecting chains is such that any two doors may be readily attached to the counterweight; the attached doors being those in the path of travel of the dish racks.

Asshown, the machine is supported at each of its four corners by means of supporting legs 55; these legs incorporating an adjustment whereby the machine may be readily leveled to stand in proper operating position. As shown, the base casting I0 is provided at each of the four corners with a downwardly extending cylindrical extension 56. A concentrically positioned threaded stud 51 extends downwardly from the cylindrical member and threadedly engages the leg 55. The upper end of the leg is provided with a cylindrical socket of such size that it may be received upon the member 56 so that when the connection between the leg and stem 51 will be concealed by telescoping of the portion 55 over the socket 58. The cylindrical member 56 and socket 58 are provided of suificient length that the interengagement of these parts will exist throughout a considerable range of adjustment for the leg so that the threaded connecting pin 51 will remain hidden under all conditions.

The electric motor 2| which drives the pump 20 is provided with an extending armature shaft 60 which extends through a suitable stufiing box 6| into the interior of the pump for actuation of the pump impeller 62. The housing 64 of the pump is provided with an attaching structure 65 whereby the pump is supported at one side directly from the frame of the motor 2|. The pump housing, which is preferably of substantially cylindrical cross section, encloses the impeller 62v whichcomprises a plate portion 61 upon which are formed a plurality of vanes 68. Upon actuation of the pump by its driving motor wash water is drawn from the sump through an intake 10 connecting the sump to a suction opening in the pump housing 64. impeller forces the water drawn from the sump through a discharge pipe I preferably formed as an integral part of the housing 64, to a valve 12. The motor and pump, including the circulating pipes 10 and II comprise a unitary structure which may be readily assembled in position upon the washing machine by merely attaching the motor to the base III by means of screws 22, by completing the connection of the pipe H to the The rotatingleg 55 is threaded onto the stem 51 the threaded awaterv distributing structure. l'Thei'oi lve 12; a vbv pr vi nsga wa r "t ht o n 7, at. the gpointr of entrance ,or; the suction pipe I withinvjthe o As howmtm endf'ofr' the pipe lawman enters the sump-l8 through, an opening I8 'isthre dedlforthe reception of suitabletlocig-Jnutsjlll"; one-'beingprdvided Jon "the pipe onthe exterior of the sump while the other v is adapted to be positioned onv the pipe, on the interioraof the sumpafter assembly." Suitable gaskets are providedbetween the nuts and the sump wall so that upon drawing the nuts tight a, watertight joint willfbe provided; The valve 12 is showng'positioned on the interior ofjthe ,wasl'ling compartment adjacent [the horizontally extending wallr igfifand is provided with acontactring flange which is adapted-to coactw'ith a similarly jshaped fl ange 'I Qvorithe discharge pipe ,I I tQpl'ovide a; water tight passage tor washing fluid from the puinp through the casing member 20 IE toithe interior e ther/awe 12.. y i The valve 12 comprises acasingI I5 which v is l, substantially, cylindrical in cross section'and Hwhichis provided with, suitable passages'lfi and flanged eonneetions-Jl for thel attachment of a discharge nozzles such as. the .rotar'y wash. arms -shown A 7 hollow; cylindrical valve member, it is-rotatably mounted within the valve casing i r ediiwiith o ased slots 79 hi h in open position ofthe valve memberiareadapted to, coincidei with discharge; openings 16 in the valve casing connectingtothe washarn conduits. 1'Iheprovision Oflseparate slots 19 in the valve ymemher f or each wash arm. conduit results in tan independent connection between. theflwash I .water supply pip Tl ,ancleach conduit so that leakage, An'annular flange 96! is provided about A .by-pass is eonnected around thev valvefn so i move vertically on the pin IUfl between a lower position in whichit engages the top surface of the lug 99=andl an upper position in which it t that: the cqnnecting pipes to 'the wash arms are 40 a ay mm nicat u'c 'wit leash 9 AS 7 shown; aebyepass .111 is formed within the valve --5'C 5 n [1 end- 1 1 91 3 th m er rr val rm m er 8, :wvmc srro a bly m unt ,within .the casing I3, is pm Y, edlwith-anaigially extending stem x8D is v in v, a sleev 8" med -th i alve ho :wKIhestem- 80; extends, rid the exterior he housing :15.\and has fixedftojt an operat 55;1whichis suitably supported at one end In so: a rack t-'81 p q dadp it top in and-=15; guided at itstlcwcr nd a rgwln'ch ls shown-aformed on a-port on of the Q 60 attached to it a crank'arm BQ-Whichha s movement ot the valve; member- I8; v Wash-water frorn -the; valve 12;; isIc the several wash arms vby means or, the. conduits or connecting pipes which areattached by suitable-means to the flan es ll of the valve cas- 70, ing l5;-qthe.pipe 95 providing a communicating @passage from thewalve to a lower Iwasharm' 9B,

- while the pipe. SI-provides alfluidipassage to an upper wash arm-- 98. As-shown, the pipe, .95 extends from the valve I2 to substantially the ver- 7 5 tlcal center line of the machine and there is pronee with an elbow I00 which terminates in an Iopenupstanding' end. Avertical shaft IIJI is suitably supported within the elbow I00 and forms a; journal "upon which the wash arm 96 fis mounted." This wash arm 96 comprises'a hol- .low member which is freely rotatable upon the 'supportingf 'shaft I0] and is provided with a plurality of sprayjopenlngs I 03which direct the washwater. upwardly. Certain ofthe spray open- 1 logs are inclined so that vthe reaction forcesof the water-on the nozzlesirnparta rotating movernentto the wash arm. The wash arm is maintained in position upon the shaft by means of a hand nut lfiiwhich is threadedly received upon the upper threaded'end Nil of shaft HUI until the nut engagesxashoulder 102 on the shaft immediately below the threaded portion. The wash {which rotatablyengage's theshaftjIOI. The low- Ver end ofsleeve 95 is'adapte'd to' rest, during "armfma be providedfwith a bearing sleeve 96' e .withelbow we, t e lugfhaving a suitable bore .r

t connecting pipes leadingto suitable wash Water flang 1 5 through which the shaft IOI passes and to'which exterior threadedjportion of the pin II and "engaging the exterior of tine lug 99. The propor- 96 which rotatably receives the upper open end of the elbow I00 in a freefrunning fit to minimize engages the'nut IM without moving the flange S BF out ofi cooperative relationship with the up- 7 per. end of elbow llw sothat wash water is not a ly-1 1 11.99??? .1

ipe 1 9 1, which is positioned :E thefwashing compartment ornthe'valve casing. 15

it's wh n positioned Within U 9 ii .has a spaced is bolted tojj the interior side of .thefcoverlm her jaibenath and in alignment upoii j the vertical center line of mt/which provides s w erfrom the pipes?- .mac ne" housing, then vvithhanopeni rigprovidetifin he jcov er member.

I08 is positioned ngim'ember 28 in sube member 1 I08, as shown; comprises an "atitaching fiang e/ up; upwardly extending ribs I I 5,

hand a cylindrical bearing retainer or sleeve I2 withinwlfichare mounted suitable bearings for the support and free rotational movement of the .rupper wasli'arm (The interior or the downbly by means of a nut I24 threadedly engaging.

cured to the shaft II8 by being clamped between a collar I22 shown formed as an integral part of the shaft, and a washer I23 which is held in clamped engagement against the bearing assemthe end of the shaft H8. The lower bearing I2I contacts with the interior cylindrical surface of the sleeve 2 and, with the bearing H5, serves to maintain the shaft H8 in correct alignment. The shaft II8 extends downwardly through an opening I25 provided in the member I and at its lower end is engaged by a sleeve I21 which is provided on the wash arm 38 and extends upwardly upon the axis thereof to within the area of the member I05. The lower end of the shaft H8 is threaded to receive a nut I30 which holds the member 88 in position upon the shaft. Upon assemblingthe wash arm 88 upon the shaft H8 and drawing the nut I30 tight the wash arm 88 is held securely in location by contact of the sleeve I21 against a collar I32 which is held to the shaft as by means of apin I33. The collar I32 is provided with downwardly extending tongues I34 which flt within corresponding grooves I34 in the upper end of the sleeve I21 to form a positive driving connection between the wash arm 88 and the shaft II8. I

The collar I32 is provided with a disk like extension I35 having attached to its peripheral edge an upstanding cylindrical collar I38 which encircles the portion II2 of the member I08. The disk I35 and collar I38 form a substantially cup shaped retainer for the retention of oil supplied to the bearings I I5 and I2I; a suitable oil feeding means such as the oil cup I38 being provided upon the cover member I". The cup shaped retainer cooperates with a disk like member I40 which is positioned between the members I05 and I08 to prevent the passage of washing fluid from the interior of the casing through the opening provided in the casing cover 28 adjacent the point of attachment of the members I05 and I08. As shown, the body of the member I05 and the flange portion I08 are connected together by a plurality of webs I44 between which are openings 4 by the sleeve I48 when the members I05 and I08 are clamped in position. The member I40 is provided with an opening of such size that a small clearance space, indicated at I50, is provided between ..he disk like member I40 and the sleeve I38. Suitable peripheral ridges I52 and I53 are provided on the sleeve I38 adjacent the member I40 to prevent the passage of washing fluid between these members and to direct back into the washing compartment any fluid which may enter this area. Any washing fluid which may escape from the conduit I05 through the opening I25 adjacent the shaft II8 will, upon rotation of the member I32, be carried outwardly on the disk like face I35 and will be discharged therefrom by being thrown centrifugally from the flange I52 whereupon it enters the housing through the passages in the member I 85. Any washing water.

- ing by the close flttlngrelationship between the disk I40 and the flanges I52 and I53. This construction which positions the wash arm bearings on the exterior of the housing not only provides an effective means of retaining the bearing lubricant but also protects, by the close flttingrelationship between the stationary disk I40 and the flange I53 of the rotatable lubricant retainer, effectlvely prevents the passage of washing fluid to the exterior of the housing and tends to prevent the escape of the damp atmosphere from the interior of the washing compartment housing through this small clearance space. However, if any steam or water vapor should escape between the disk I40,and flange I53 this is promptly dissipated into the outer atmosphere by the normal circulatioh of air accessible to this area by the ribbed construction of the bearing supporting member; the damp atmosphere of the washing compartment does not, therefore, have an opportunity to come into contact with the wash arm bearings. The bearing lubricant retainer sleeve I38 terminates in .close fitting relationship to the portion I I2 of the bearing support and thus functions as a protecting enclosure to further minimize the likelihood of the ingress of dampness or steam from the washing compartment into the bearing enclosure.

Means are provided for supplying rinse water to the interior'of the housing including a supply pipe I51, which may be attached to some suitable source of rinsing water, and a control valve I58 which is adapted to be actuated from the control lever 85. A pipe connection I80 extends from the valve I58 to the interior of the housing where branch pipes I80 connect to suitable rinse nozzles I8I which are shown positioned adjacent the top of the washing compartment to direct sprays of rinse water downwardly towards the articles being washed. A pipe I82, which is shown positioned jacent the rear wall of the housing and out of t e path of travel of the dish (racks, extends downwardly from the pipe I80 and has connected to it branch pipes I52 to which additional rinse nozzles I83 are attached; the nozzles 183 being directed upwardly. The valve I58 is provided with a spring pressed control stem I84 which is adapted to constantly urge the valve to closed position. An arm I85 is pivotally supported at I88 upon a bracket I81 carried by the valve I58; the arm I85 being provided with an adjustable stud I88 which is adapted upon actuation of the arm to contact with the stem I64 to open the valve. The arm I85 is positioned so that upon movement of the lever 85 in one direction a roller member I carried by the lever 85 will contact with and actuate the arm I85 to open the rinse valve.

The rinse valve actuating arm I85 and the wash water valve member 18 are positioned with respect to one another so that actuation of the control lever 85 in one direction will permit opening of one valve and'movement in the reverse direction will permit opening of the other valve. As shown, the lever 85 will, upon being moved in a counterclockwise direction from the neutral position shown in Fig. 4, contact with the arm I85 to actuate the rinse valve. Upon movement of the valve in a clockwise direction from neutral position, the valve member I8 will be moved to bring the slots I8 into registration with the passages 16 to permit the flow bef earried out in rapid sequence without having? of wash water, from the pump tothewash arms 96 and 88. For the convenience of the oper-f' ator the wash lever. 85 carries "a spring-pressed detent l1 l which cooperates with spaced holesl positions. As. shown, a detent retaining hole "2 is provided atthe neutral-position, and'a second hole H3 is provided to maintain the valve handle in washing position. No detent hole is,

provided'for the rinse positionv as it is desirable to require the operator to intentionally maintain thevalve in this position against the tension of the rinse valve spring to prevent the waste of rinse water. Upon completion of the washing operation, the operator moves the control lever 85 in a counterclockwise direction from 'washing position to rinsing position where the valve must be held to be mantained open against the spring tension exerted on the stern I64. At this time hot rinsing water is supplied to the rinsing nozzles and inasmuch as this operation usually lasts about four to six seconds the spring tensioned control is provided so that the control will not he accidentally left in rinsing position with consequent waste of rinse water.

To insure that the proper procedure in the cycle of operation will be followed by the operator the control lever 85 is provided with means which permits actuation of the'control valve only when the doors are closed and prevents actuation of this valve when the doors are open. As

shown, the lever 85 is provided with outwardly extending flanges I15 which have provided to wait for the .wash line to drain through the wash nozzles before introducing the clean rinse water to the machine. The drain" valve I 801s provided in a low point'inthe distributingpipef 91" and comprises anv automatically operated check valve including aball l8l which is movably positioned within abageJIBZ attached as by meansof screws, I83 to the'pipe 81 adjacent an opening 185 providedtheijein. During operation of the machine the check valve is automatically maintained closed by pressure of the wash water and upon closing the-valve 12- at the completion of a washing operation the valve is, automatically opened to permit the column of wash water then standing in the wash water distributing system to quickly drain through the valve I80 rather than pass slowly through the nozzles Hi3 ofthe lower wash armythe flow under such circumstances being at a slow rate but of sufficient intensity to reach the dishes and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the rinsing operation. The drain valve I80 is, as mentioned,

valve through the by-pass 'I'I' so that upon therein slots I'IB' so positioned that with the lever 85 in neutral position (shown in Fig. 4) the doors 30 adjacent the control lever 85 ay be opened by sliding upwardly through the s ots 6.. In any other position of the control lever the flanges overlie the upper edges of these doors so that the operator is prevented from'raising these doors during a washing or rinsing operation. This arrangement of interlock between the control leverand the doors, and the provision of the interconnected counterweight makes it impossible to 'move the control lever from neutral position when any ofv the doors are opened; the doors positioned adjacent the in-' terlock flange being adapted to cooperate with the flange directly to prevent valve-movement, while the door positioned away from the flange is adapted to cooperate through the i'nterconnecting counterweight chains to actuate anadiacent door. With the valve in 'operatingposition the adjacent doors are locked closed by the interlock flange. The remotely positioned door,

although not positivelymaintained closed, is re"- lieved of the balancing effect of the counter weight upon latching the adjacent doors. Cons'equently upon, opening ,the remotely positioned door under these circumstances it is necessary 'to lift the entire weight of the; door. This serves as a reminder thatthedoorfisinot t ojbe opened.

It is particularlyjdesirable in order to'redhce' thetime iorwashingthat the operator should be able. to :mOVe the control instantly"from wash ing to rinsing'position and to secure an eseeui e opening of the valve I00 the entire distributing system may quickly drain into the washing com partment for return of the drained liquid to the sump H3. The weight of the ball is proportioned and positioned to overcome the hydrostatic head on the distributing system so that upon shutting off the pressure flow of wash water the valve will immediately open to drain position. The ball runway is inclined so that the force of gravity will tend to move the ball towards the open position in which the ball rests against the pipe 91; the size and weight of the ball being so proportioned that 'upon the introduction of wash water under pressure to the pipe 97 the ball will be moved outwardly to close the opening I90. As shown,'the opening I85 in the pipe 91 is of such shape as to prevent passage" of the ball I 8| to the interior of the pipe but permits passage of water'around the ly close whenever washing water flows under pressure through the fluidf distributing system; and automatically opensto-'quickly drain the distributing system whenever the supply of water is cut off. The provision of thisautomatic valve effectively prevents any possibility of the dirty wash'water spraying upwardly upon the dishes and permits the rinsing operationt'o' follow the washing operation without having towait for the wash. water distributing system to drain through the nozzle outlets The w ive-1m serves also as an"outletthrough which any leakage water from the valve member" l8' may-drain di-" rectly, into the wash'i 'partnint "for-re-f to um is v r The side of the was i8] is pi ovided with an ove'rflow connection 193 which is connected byes-pipe iill tofd drain line was. a drain pipe i91 connects he bottom" "or member-or sump the chamber or sump It to a drain valve I98 having a suitable control handle I arranged within convenient reach of the operator so that the sump may he quickly drained into the drain pipe I95. The overflow connection I93 is constan tly maintained open to the drain pipe I95 so that a maximum predetermined fluid level in the sump will not be exceeded, and also to permit surface layer of grease and waste material to be drained from the washing fluid. The drain connection I 91 is under control of the handle I99 and is opened only upon actuation of the handle.

For convenience in placing the machine in operation and to permit av rapid filling of the chamber or sump IS with wash water at the beginning oi washing operations a pipe connection is provided to the washing compartment from a supply of wash water and is under control oi the hand valve 200. The pipe connecting to the hand valve"! may be Joined to the pipe i5! supplying water to the rinse valve. To raise the temperature of the wash water within the sump a steam line may be provided for connection into the sump; a hand valve 202 being provided in this steam connection to regulate the flow to the interior of the sump where any suitable form of injector or bubbler arrangement may be provided to efiect transfer of heat from the steam to, the wash water.

In Figs. 13;,to 16 a somewhat modified form of wash water distributing valve is shown with which is incorporated a drain valve which is adapted to provide a positive drain for the wash water distributing system, and which operates automatically as the 'wash water control valve is moved. As shown the valve comprises 9. casing 15' which is substantially cylindrical in cross section, is provided with means for attachment to the discharge outlet ll of the pump, and is provided with suitable passages 16' having flanged connections 11' for the attachment of the connecting pipes 95 and 91 which lead to the rotary wash arms similarly to the valve 12. A by-pass 208 connects the passages 16' and is shown formed integrally in the valve housing. A] hollow cylindrical valve member 2|0 is rotatably mounted within the valve casing 15 and is provided with opposed slots 2l2 which in the open or wash position of the valve member are adapted to coincide with the discharge openings 16'. The valve member is open at itsbottom end to "-;-permit a flow of wash water from the pump through the ports 2i2 for distribution to the wash arms. The head portion 2 of-the valve in mber is provided with an axially extending ste 2|! which is suitably supported within a sleeve 8i formed in the cap portion 0! the valve housing. The stem 5 extends beyond the exterior of the housing and has fixed to it an operating arm 82' by which it may be actuated from the control mechanism of the machine.

The head portion III of the valve member is provided with a cored passage!" extending perpendicularly to the valve axis and positioned with relation to the ports 2l2 to provide a drain outlet for the wash water distributing lines when the valve is in either neutral or rinse positions. A port 220 is formed in the inner wall 22l of the valve housing to provide communication between the by-pa'ss 208- and the passage 2l6; the port 220 being positioned to register with the passage 2H5 when the valve member 2"] is in neutral or rinse position. A discharge port 223 provided in the valve housing is shown positioned oppositely to the passage 220 to serve as a drain for any water in the distributing system during times that the passage Ill provides an outlet from the by-pass.

The positioning and width of the passage 2". and-the lateral extent of the ports III and 223 are proportioned so that when the valve member 2|! is in washing position,, as shown in Fig-15, the passage 2| will be turned so that the port 220 will be closed and no water may then flow from the drain outlet. When the valve member is in either neutral or rinse position communication is provided through the passage III to the drain outlet so that any water contained in the distributing system may be readily drained therefrom. The provision of the drain valve as an integrally formed part of the positively operated wash water valve member not only permits rapid draining oi the wash water distributing system so that the control mechanism may be moved quickly from washing to rinsing position without having to wait for the wash water to drain slowly from the distributing system through the wash arms, but also provides means whereby any leakage water passing around the valve member 2! may be discharged directly into the washing compartment at a position remote from the articles being washed. By providing a positive control for the drain valve proper operation is insured even though grease or other foreign matter has collected as a result of extended use.

It will now be apparent that there is provided a washing machine of compact form and simple construction which is adapted to meet various 1 conditions of installation requirements and which is adapted for rapid operation. The few moving parts of the machine are so constructed, and protected against deterioration and wear that the machine may be operated for long periods of time without the need for replacement of parts. The control mechanism for the machine is so arranged that the operator is required to follow a proper procedure in the cycle of operation and is thereby protected against injury to himself by scalding or injury to the mechanism of the machine.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute perferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope 01 the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine, a fluid supply pipe, a valve casing attached thereto, fluid distributing pipes attached to said casing. a valve member in said casing movable to a position providing communication between said supply pipe and each of said distributing pipes, and a by-pass around said valve providing communication between said distributing pipes.

2. In a washing machine, a fluid supply pipe, a valve-casing attached to said fluid supply pipe, an upper wash arm, a lower wash arm, independent fluid conduits separately connecting said wash arms to said valve casing at diametrically opposed and aligned openings extending through the casing, a manually rotatable valve member in said casing for simultaneously controlling the discharge of fluid to the fluid conduits, said valve member having diametrically opposed and aligned openings adapted for simultaneous registration with the casing openings and having an autbmatically closing said drain passage when axial inlet passage communicating with its 6p posed openings and extending from said fluid supply pipe, the openings or the casing and of the valve member being positioned with respectto the valve member axis-.tobalance pressure fluid forces normal to the :axis.- I

l 3. In a washing machinehaving means for reception of' articles therein, a fluid distribution system comprising discharge means positionedfor application of washing fluid to articles inrthe machine, fluid flow controllingmeans, and drain means in the system effective upon termination of fluid flow in the system for diverting fluid remaining in the system from the fluid discharge means and draining the same so as to promptly terminate objectionable flow from the discharge means toward the articles upon termination of flow in the system.

4. In a washing machine, a washing compartment, a fluid distributing system positioned within said washing compartment, said fluid distributing system comprising a distributing valve, an upper wash arm, a lower wash arm, fluid conduits providing independent connections between said wash arms and said distributing valve, a bypass providing intercommunication between said conduits around said distributing valve, a check valve positioned in a lower portion of said distributing system, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said distributing valve for circulation through said distributing system, said check valve being automatically maintained closed during passage of fluid under pressure through the distributing system, and being automatically opened and draining the same so as to promptly terminate objectionable flow from the discharge means toward the articles upon termination of flow in the system.

6. In a washing machine; a fluid supply pipe, a valve casing attached thereto, spaced outlets in said valve casing, fluid distributing means connected to said outlets, a valve member in said valve casing, said valve member being movable to a position providing communication between said supply pipe and said outlets, a drain outlet in said valve casing, and means operable with saidvalve member providing a passage from said fluid distributing means to said drain outlet when said valve member is closed with respect to said spaced outlets.

7. In a washing machine having means for reception of articles therein, a fluid distributing system comprising discharge means positioned for application of washing fluid to articles in the materminate objectionable flow from the dischargev means toward thearticlesupon termination of flow in the system.

,8. In a washing machine having means for reception of articles therein, a fluid distributing system comprising discharge means positioned for application of washing fluid to articles in the machine, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said distributing system, means for turning on and cutting off the supply of fluid under pressure to said distributing system, a drain passage for diverting fluid remaining in the system from the fluid discharge means upon cutting off the supply, said drain passage being upwardly inclined and having a valve seat in an elevated portion thereof, and a valve in said drain passage responsive to the pressure of fluid when turned on to said distributing system and held thereby against said valve seat for closing said drain passage, said valve moving under. the influence of gravity away from said valve seat to open said drain passage to thereby drain said distributing system when the supply of fluid under pressure is cut off from said distributing system so as to promptly terminate objectionable flow from the d scharge means toward the articles upon termination of flow in the system.

9. In a washing machine having a washing chamber. an upper spray header and a lower spray header for said washing chamber, separate fluid conduits for said upper and lower spray headers, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said conduits, valve means intermediate the supply means and conduits and movable to different control positions for simultaneously opening or closing the conduits to the fluid supply means,.a drain passage in said valve means, said valve means having spaced ports providing communication between said fluid supplying means and said separate fluid conduits while closing communication of said separate conduits with said drain passage in one position thereof, and having an additional port providing com munication of said separate fluid conduits with said drain passage while closing communication of said fluid supplying means with said conduits in another position thereof.

10. In a washing machine having a washing chamber, a wash liquid spraying system, a rinse liquid spraying system, means for controlling the supply of wash liquid to said wash liquid spraying system, means for controlling the supply of rinse liquid to said rinse liquid spraying system, a single actuating member for both the rinse liquid and wash liquid controlling means, a drain passage for said wash liquid spraying system, and means interconnected with said single actuating member for automatically connecting said wash liquid spraying system with said drain passage as said single actuating member is actuated to terminate the supply of wash liquid to said wash liquid spraying system and to initiate the supply of rinse liquid to said rinse liquid spraying system.

11. In a washing machine. having a washing chamber, a wash liquid spraying system, a rinse liquid spraying system, means for controlling the supply of wash liquid to said wash liquid spraying system, means for controlling the supply of rinse gle actuating member ior both the rinse liquid and wash liquid controlling means having a neutral position in which both the wash liquid and rinse liquid controlling means are in the ofl position, a wash position in which the wash liquid controlling means/is turned on while the rinse liquid controlling means is turned oil, and a rinse position in which the rinse liquid controlling means is, turned on while the wash liquid controlling means is turned 01!, a drain passage for said wash liquid spraying System, andmeans interconnected with said single actuating member for automatically closing communication of said wash liquid spraying system with said drain passage in the wash position of said actuating member, and for automatically opening communication 01' said wash liquid spraying system with said drain passage in both the neutral and rinse positions of said actuating member.

12. Ina washing machine having a washing compartment, an upper spray header, a lower spray header, a fluid supply pipe, a'valve casing attached to said fluid supply pipe, separate conduits connecting said valve casingwith said upper and lower spray headers respectively, a valve member in said casing movable to a position providing communication between said supply pipe and each of said conduits, a by-pass around said valve providing communication between said conduits, and a drain passage for said conduits and headers positioned at an elevation at least as low as the lower header and communicating with at least one of said conduits and headers through said by-pass.

vl3. In a washing machine, a fluid supply pipe, a valve casing attached to said fluid supply pipe, an upper wash arm, a lower wash arm, independent fluidconduits separately connecting said wash arms to said valve casing at openings extending through the casing, a rotatable valve member in said casing for simultaneously controlling the discharge oi fluid to the fluid conduits, said valve member having openings corresponding in positioning to the casing openings and adapted for registration therewith, said casing and member openings being positioned with respect to the valve member axis to balance the pressure fluid forces normal to the axis, said casing having a by-pass formed as an integral passage therein afl'ording intercommunication between the fluid distributing pipes.

14. In a washing machine, a fluid supply pipe, a valve casing attached to said fluid supply pipe, an upper wash arm, a lower wash arm, independent fluid conduits separately; connecting said wash arms to said valve casing at openings extending through the casing, a rotatable valve member in said casing for simultaneously controlling the discharge of fluid to the fluid conduits, said valve member having opposed-openings corresponding in spacing to the casing openings and adapted ifor simultaneous registration therewith, said casing and member openings being positioned in diametrically spaced relationship with respect to pendent fluid conduits maybe connected either to the fluid supply pipe or to said drain outlet.

HERBERT L. JOHNSTON. 

